Celebrate Historic Yellow Springs’ role in marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with botanical artist Margaret Saylor in this unique two-part Making History workshop series.

Inspired by a remarkable composite volume from the archives, featuring 37 hand-colored engravings originally illustrated by naturalist James Sowerby, this historic text once guided physicians and apothecaries in the identification and use of medicinal plants during the Revolutionary era. In the winter session, participants will work from high-resolution scans of these plates to begin their own botanical sketchbook or art journal—a personal reference to the medicinal plants documented by William Woodville in Medical Botany. 

Guided by Margaret Saylor, artists will develop observation and illustration techniques, record notes, and build lasting skills for documenting nature through art. The summer session, part two of the series, invites participants to draw live medicinal plant specimens inspired by the historic plates, expanding their journals with direct field observation. This immersive series offers a rich blend of art, science, history, and hands-on practice to deepen your botanical art practice and connection to historic herbal knowledge.

Click HERE for a materials list for this workshop

• We believe art should be accessible to all. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
• Membership is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support our mission! Learn more about it's benefits and discounts!

Ready to scratch the surface of pottery design? In this beginner-friendly pottery workshop you will be introduced to the technique of Sgraffito. Sgraffito (skrah-FEE-toh) is a decorative technique that involves scratching or scraping through a layer of slip or underglaze to reveal the contrasting colored clay beneath. In this hands-on workshop, you will carve bold black + white patterns into tiles.This 3-hour workshop is geared for beginners (ages 16+) and anyone sgraffito-curious. Tiles will be made ahead of time (so no 'pottery skills' are required for this workshop). Carving tools will be provided.

• We believe art should be accessible to all. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
• Membership is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support the mission of HYS.

This is a fun and deeply relaxing way to enter the meditative and expressive world of weaving. In this beginner frame loom weaving workshop, you will learn various weaving techniques as you work intentionally with cotton yarn to create a handwoven bookmark for your favorite book! From setting up your loom to finishing your piece you will be guided through the weaving process. During our time together you will be encouraged to play and explore, creating a handwoven bookmark uniquely created by you! Materials Fee: $12

• We believe art should be accessible to all. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
• Membership is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support the mission of HYS.

Inclusive Clay classes provide ceramic art education for adults with intellectual disabilities, fostering an inclusive and empowering environment. Participants learn handbuilding techniques like slab building, coiling, and pinching, with sessions also covering surface treatments and glazing.

This class is held in a ADA accessable studio space

Eligibility and Participation Requirements:

• Participants must be over 18 and enrolled in the PA Department of Human Services ODP-HCBS waiver program.
• A support person must accompany participants and stay for the entire class.
• Support staff can create pottery at no additional cost while ensuring their participant is adequately supported.

Over four, two-hour classes you will build on the information learned in the Zentangle Basics class. Tangle Time expands your knowledge of “tangles” while exploring techniques that allow you to push your creativity to new heights. In each class you will expand your tangling techniques and add to your knowledge of tangles (patterns) Take your Zentangle journey ahead of basics to a level where you can create your own patterns in a fun and enjoyable way.Supplies: There will be a one-time supply fee of $12 payable to the instructor at time of first class if you do not have the basic Zentangle kit.

*It is recommended but not necessary that you take a basic Zentangle class first.

• We believe art should be accessible to all. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
• Membership is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support our mission! Learn more about it's benefits and discounts!

Two 5-Week Sessions

Curious about learning to throw but not ready to commit to a full session? This five-week sampler is the perfect way to get a feel for working on the pottery wheel. Designed for beginners, the course introduces the essentials of wheel throwing — from preparing clay and centering to shaping simple forms like bowls and cylinders.

With hands-on instruction and plenty of guided practice, you’ll gain confidence at the wheel while creating a few finished pieces of your own. This short-format class offers a relaxed, low-pressure way to explore ceramics and decide if you’d like to take your skills further in a full 10-week course.

All materials, glazes, and firings are included.

This class is held in a ADA accessable studio space

• We believe art should be accessible to all. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
• Membership is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support our mission! Learn more about it's benefits and discounts!

Create a personalized ceramic house number plaque that’s both functional and beautiful. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll use slab-building techniques to design and construct a custom address plaque, incorporating natural textures from leaves, flowers, and stems pressed directly into the clay.

Participants will choose their plaque’s shape, layout, and number style, then add surface details that reflect their own aesthetic. With step-by-step guidance, you’ll learn how to cut, shape, and attach your design elements while exploring texture and composition.

All tools and materials are provided. Finished plaques will be fired and ready for pickup at a later date.

• We believe art should be accessible to all. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
• Membership is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support the mission of HYS.

Join a unique collaborative firing experience that brings together local ceramic artists and students from Montgomery County Community College (MCCC). Participants will work side by side with college students and their instructor, sharing in the full wood-firing process—from loading and firing to unloading and kiln maintenance.

Learn to manage each stage of the firing: building the fire, reading the kiln atmosphere, maintaining even heat, and adjusting dampers and air flow. Discussion will include wood selection, stoking rhythm, and the effects of salt introduction on both clay and kiln surfaces.

This collaborative firing offers a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas across experience levels while contributing to a shared creative process. Participants should be comfortable working in a group setting with MCCC students.

Note: this is a half share size: 12" x 24" x 15"